In a significant breakthrough, the Shivamogga district police have solved a four-month-old murder case with the arrest of two individuals accused of killing a 70-year-old woman in Kumsi. The victim, Basamma, was targeted for her gold jewellery in her own home.
Gruesome Murder and Swift Investigation
According to Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar, the two accused, identified as Armaan and Vikas, were apprehended for the brutal crime. The investigation revealed that the duo allegedly stabbed Basamma a shocking 15 times before stealing her earrings and necklace. After the attack, they attempted to dispose of the body to cover their tracks.
However, their plans were foiled by an alert neighbour who noticed something amiss and promptly alerted others in the neighbourhood. This crucial intervention forced the accused to flee through a window as locals became aware of the crime. The police later used technical evidence and call data records to meticulously track down and arrest the suspects.
Police Appeal for Senior Citizen Safety
In the wake of this incident, SP Mithun Kumar issued a strong appeal to the public, particularly senior citizens living alone, to take necessary safety precautions. He advised installing security cameras and alarms at homes and urged people to inform the police immediately about any suspicious activities in their areas.
Zero Tolerance on Drugs: District-Wide Crackdown
Shifting focus to another critical law and order issue, the SP stated that the force has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs. He provided detailed statistics highlighting a concerning rise in ganja-related cases across Shivamogga district.
This year alone, a total of 420 cases have been registered in connection with ganja. As part of proactive measures, the police have conducted tests on 4,209 people, out of which 420 tested positive for consumption. The police are conducting extensive area domination exercises, covering the entire district.
Over half of the 420 registered cases originate from Shivamogga city itself, indicating a concentrated problem in the urban area. To combat the supply chain, the police are employing drones to capture images and track peddlers. Furthermore, 613 awareness programmes have been conducted until November 30 to educate the public, especially the youth.
SP Kumar informed that random raids are being conducted based on specific complaints, with 929 raids carried out so far. A dedicated task force has also been established to curb substance abuse effectively. The police profile indicates that most ganja consumers are in the age group of 18 to 20 years and are often college dropouts. The contraband is mostly sourced from other states and districts, rather than being cultivated locally.
